impugn — I verb assail, assail by argument, attack, attack by words, be skeptical, call in question, cast doubt, cast reflection upon, challenge as false, confute, contest, contradict, controvert, criticize, denounce, disbelieve, discredit, disprove,… … Law dictionary
impugn — (v.) attack by argument, late 14c., from O.Fr. impugner, from L. impugnare to assault, to attack, from assimilated form of in into, in, on, upon (see IN (Cf. in ) (2)) + pugnare to fight (see PUGNACIOUS (Cf. pugnacious)). Related: Impugned; … Etymology dictionary
impugn — gainsay, contradict, negative, traverse, *deny, contravene Analogous words: *attack, assail: refute, rebut, confute, controvert, *disprove Antonyms: authenticate: advocate Contrasted words: *confirm, corroborate, substantiate: * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
impugn — [v] criticize, challenge assail, attack, blast, break, call into question, cast aspersions upon, cast doubt upon, come down on*, contradict, contravene, cross, cut to shreds*, deny, disaffirm, dispute, gainsay, knock*, negate, negative, oppose,… … New thesaurus
impugn — ► VERB ▪ dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of. ORIGIN Latin impugnare assail … English terms dictionary
impugn — [im pyo͞on′] vt. [ME impugnen < OFr impugner < L impugnare < in , on, against + pugnare, to fight: see PUGNACIOUS] 1. Obs. to attack physically 2. to attack by argument or criticism; oppose or challenge as false or questionable SYN. DENY … English World dictionary
impugn — UK [ɪmˈpjuːn] / US [ɪmˈpjun] verb [transitive] Word forms impugn : present tense I/you/we/they impugn he/she/it impugns present participle impugning past tense impugned past participle impugned very formal if you impugn someone s motives, you say … English dictionary
impugn — verb Impugn is used with these nouns as the object: ↑integrity, ↑motive … Collocations dictionary
impugn — im|pugn [ımˈpju:n] v [T] formal [Date: 1300 1400; : Latin; Origin: impugnare, from pugnare to fight ] to express doubts about someone s honesty, courage, ability etc ▪ I did not mean to impugn her professional abilities … Dictionary of contemporary English
impugn — [[t]ɪmpju͟ːn[/t]] impugns, impugning, impugned VERB If you impugn something such as someone s motives or integrity, you imply that they are not entirely honest or honourable. [FORMAL] [V n] The Secretary s letter questions my veracity, impugns my … English dictionary
